News from Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb
Assembly Office:
933 Legislative Office Building • Albany, NY 12248 • (518) 455-3751
District Offices:
607 West Washington Street • Suite 2 • Geneva, NY 14456 • (315) 781-2030
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For Release: IMMEDIATELY, July 12, 2013
Contact: Doug Finch (315) 781-2030
Blood Drive A Huge Success Thanks To Community And Red Cross
Legislative column from Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua)

Thank you again to everyone who participated in my annual Red Cross blood drive at the Canandaigua Inn on the Lake. Due to the generosity of all the folks who participated, we collected 72 pints of blood that will serve as a much-needed resource both locally and across the nation. By stepping up and answering the need, each of you is a hero in our community.

Giving blood is truly the gift of life. If people did not take the time to donate blood, thousands of Americans would be at risk. Cancer patients, accident victims, children and those with Sickle cell disease are among the beneficiaries of your donations. Over the past few years, we saw the critical role that blood donors played in saving the lives of the men and women affected by the natural disasters in our own state and throughout the nation.

BLOOD DONATIONS: BY THE NUMBERS

All too often, remembering to participate in a blood drive can get lost in the shuffle of busy summer schedules, yet according to the Red Cross, blood banks can get dangerously low during the summer months. A summertime shortage of blood can have potentially devastating effects on patients whose survival may depend on a blood transfusion.

The Red Cross leads the nation in blood collection. Here are some interesting facts about how the Red Cross works to save lives every day:

  • The Red Cross provides more than 40 percent of the nation's annual blood supply;
  • About 3.5 million people donated nearly 6 million units of blood last year;
  • These donations were converted into nearly 9 million blood products used in transfusions;
  • The Red Cross must collect close to 17,000 units of blood every day to keep up with demand;
  • Each blood donation can save as many as 3 lives;
  • Blood is needed every 2 seconds in America; and
  • The Red Cross provides blood for patients in almost 3,000 US hospitals.

COULDN'T MAKE IT? NO PROBLEM, IT'S NEVER TOO LATE!

The Red Cross is always looking for blood donors and volunteers. Another blood drive or opportunity to help is never far off. You may donate blood at:

American Red Cross in the Finger Lakes
83 W. Bayard St.
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
315-568-9436
315-789-1522

American Red Cross guidelines require potential donors to be healthy, at least 17 years old - or, in New York, 16 years old with a parent or guardian's consent - and weigh at least 110 lbs. For more information, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

Donating blood is safe for the donor, and it will ensure that hospitals and blood banks remain adequately supplied with much-needed blood. There is always a need for donors, especially those with Type O negative blood, as it can be used for all patients. The actual donation usually takes fewer than ten minutes, while the entire process only takes about an hour. Participating in a blood drive allows each of us to be a hero in our local community.

What do you think? I want to hear from you. Send me your feedback, suggestions and ideas regarding this or any other issue facing New York State. You can always contact my district office at (315) 781-2030 or email me at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us.